I agree with Fred that you probably prefer rolled off highs as well. It also could be that you are not finding balance without the use of a subwoofer. So what you are experiencing is trade-offs within the different models. I bet most of the problems you have experienced with your bookshelf journey can be drastically helped with the use of a subwoofer.

The Energy RC-10 seems like it might fit your preferences. The Aperion 6b as well. While it doesn't have the rolled off highs of the Energy, they will have pretty good extension for a bookshelf and you might find that balance there. The trade off with the Aperion 6b is that they will be below average in sensitivity.

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I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

I noticed a difference as soon as I turned the treble down. But then they pretty much sounded like the speakers I currently have!

That what I expected. You are used to the sound of speakers that fall in line with what you currently have.

I suspect that you are more sensitive to sibilance because you are not used to the normal sound of the way an s is enunciated and are simply not used to the extra detail that a truely neutral speaker delivers.

I also agree with Dr. House. If you go to a speaker that delivers more in both the top and bottom end, you will perceive it as more balanced.

You have the M3s for a month. I would take advantage of that. Find a good Audio store close to you and listen to a bunch of different speakers. Come back to the M3 and compare the same material on the M3. I think at some point, you will find a speaker that delivers more of the detail you like with a more refined upper end that does not sound bright or sibilant to you.

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Fred

-------Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!

The M3's will be on their way back on Monday or Tuesday next week. I took my Polk's back out of the closet and hooked them up a few minutes ago. I put in a cd, hit play and went AHHHHH! That's what I'm used to I guess. The Polks sound warm and smooth and comforting in a strange way. When I listen to music on the Polk's it's like I'm hearing music. When I listened to music on the M3's it was like I was listening to a recording if that makes any sense to anyone other than me.

What you are saying is that you are perfectly happy with the speakers you have. Thats good. Stick with them and enjoy.

Johnk is fond of saying its the music that its all about.

Every now and then I get this itch for new speakers. I'm not sure why or even what it is I'm expecting to find in a new pair of speakers. Just seems that after awhile my current speakers, whatever they might be, start to sound flat.